Davis tries to prove he’s more than speed
COSTA MESA — In many ways, it’s been speed that has always put Michael Davis on the map.
While the Glendale High football team won a total of six games during Davis’ three seasons and missed the postseason each year, the Jewel City native still lined up against some of the country’s greatest youth athletes during the track and field season due to his elite sprinting.
That speed turned into a scholarship to Brigham Young University and a four-year career in which Davis participated in four consecutive bowl games.
Yet, a disappointing senior season in which Davis ceded playing time and his starting position as a defensive back to a freshman seemed to spell doom.
Again, however, it was speed that saved the day, as Davis ran a blistering 4.34 second 40-yard dash at BYU’s Pro Day in Provo, Utah on March 24.
From flash in the pan to flash again, Davis garnered interest from NFL teams.
That interest didn’t immediately pay dividends as Davis went unselected during this year’s NFL Draft, which concluded April 29.
Fortune turned quickly for Davis as that same night he became one of 15 players to sign a free-agent contract with the hometown Los Angeles Chargers.
Since that evening, Davis has been determined to make the cut and the final 53-man roster.
As the team moved its practices to Costa Mesa High on July 30, Davis was out to prove he can put up impressive numbers outside of a stopwatch.
“I would say yes, in certain scenarios, yes,” Davis said when asked if people think he’s just a speed guy. “Obviously, people just say, ‘Hey Michael, your speed’ and they try to get me off the line. They know I have the speed to catch up. But more, I prefer [using] my technique and it’s easier and better not to use my speed then technique, but my technique and then speed.”
Davis played in 48 games with the BYU Cougars and made 30 starts with 110 tackles, 17 pass break-ups and one interception.
While the pick came against Michigan State and resulted in a return for a score, the one career interception has become a sore subject.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound defensive back has tried to change the perception that he can’t create turnovers.
His first notable action came May 23 when Davis tipped a pass by starting quarterback Phillip Rivers that was intercepted by teammate Tre Boston.
For Boston, taking young players like Davis under his wing has been a privilege.
“I just come in and try to be a veteran and try to teach the things I know and everything I’ve learned over the years,” Boston said. “I try to install a whole new culture for these guys.”
The turnover drew the praise of Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and the eyebrows of coaches and teammates.
Perhaps Davis’ biggest play this summer took place Monday during drills when star running back Melvin Gordon broke free and had an open path to the end zone.
At the last minute, Davis came from across the field and ripped the ball from Gordon’s grip, which elicited the cheers from an overflow crowd.
“Melvin said, ‘You know what, I hate ya’ll.’ He said, ‘I hate ya’ll,’” Davis said through a laugh of his interaction with Gordon immediately after the play. “He smiled and it was all fun and games, but we’re all working here grinding to get a spot.”
For Davis, the play served as vindication of his ability, though he still felt the need to explain his lack of takeways in college.
“I wasn’t really always around the ball in college,” Davis said.
Though grateful for the opportunity to be practicing with the Chargers, Davis isn’t just happy to be at camp. With injuries to Chargers defensive backs Casey Hayward and Jason Verrett, Davis sees an opportunity to grab a roster spot.
“Casey Hayward is a good cornerback, but when he got hurt in practice with his ankle, that gave me an opportunity to go and start something with the [starters],” Davis said. “I just seized the opportunity because, you know, not too many undrafted rookies get that opportunity to start right away. To be honest, I tried to seize it.”
Davis has seen action with the first-team defense, which puts him against Los Angeles’ talented receiving corps and Pro Bowl quarterback Rivers.
“When I’m in the moment, I don’t think about going against him,” Davis said of Rivers, “but afterward when I’m on the sideline, I can’t believe I’m going up against one of the greats.”
On Wednesday, Davis primarily saw action against back-up quarterbacks Mike Bercovici, Kellen Clemens and Cardale Jones.
That changed in one series of three plays as Rivers completed a 40-yard pass down the sideline, which led to wholesale changes on defense. Davis and second-year cornerback Trovon Reed were inserted.
Rivers completed only one pass in the three-play series and twice looked off the left side of the field where Davis was patrolling. In the second of those instances, Rivers had a pass deflected and intercepted by Reed, who totaled two picks on the day.
Though Davis won’t likely get any recognition for turnovers, he’s content in knowing he’s doing his job.
“I want [to get] in the receiver’s face up on the line,” Davis said. “If I can shut him down early, then I shut down his whole route and make the quarterback go to the other side of the field. [That would make me] a shutdown corner.”
Outside of playing in the secondary, Davis has also taken snaps on punt coverage. Though special teams action might not be all that sexy, Chargers four-year veteran Kenjon Barner believes excellent play on special teams may provide a way onto the roster.
“The biggest advice I can give is put your head down and grind,” Barner said. “Don’t look at where you are now, but where you are at the end of the day. You know it’s going to be hard and a grind, an uphill battle. If you’re resilient and determined, you can accomplish anything.
“And special teams. That’s where I made my mark the past couple of years and that’s how I’ve made it. Don’t take special teams for granted.”
The Chargers kick off the season Monday, Sept. 11 in Denver. If Davis were to make the 53-man roster, he’s acknowledged he would be ecstatic.
“It would mean a lot. I came from a small school, especially in sports,” Davis said. “Not too many people make it out of Glendale High School in sports.
“I’ve switched position from receiver to corner in college and to be able to come out here for the Chargers. I know they like me because I’m fast, but I’m trying to prove that I can do more and it would be a huge accomplishment.”
